Association between perioperative blood transfusion and length of hospital stay in patients with osteoporotic fractures.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the relationship between perioperative blood transfusion (PBT) and length of hospital stay (LOS) in patients with osteoporotic fractures. This research aims to study the association between PBT and LOS. METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study from the Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Suzhou, China, involving 2357 osteoporotic fractures (OPF) patients who received surgical treatment during hospitalization from January 2017 and March 2022. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between PBT and LOS. In the analysis, PBT volume was the dependent variable, whereas LOS was the independent variable. Simultaneously, age, gender, body mass index, hemoglobin, primary diagnosis, American Society of Anesthesiologists, creatinine (Cr), anesthesia, surgical method, and Charlson comorbidity index were included as covariates. The generalized additive model was then used to study nonlinear associations. Two piecewise linear regression exemplary evaluated the inception results for smoothing the curve. RESULTS: Our results proved that PBT was positively correlated with LOS in the fully adjusted model (ß, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.37; P < 0.0001). Furthermore, a "U-shape" nonlinear relationship existed between PBT and LOS. When the concentration of PBT was between 0 and 1.5 units, it was manifested as a negative correlation between PBT and LOS. However, there was a positive association between PBT and LOS when PBT levels exceeded 1.5 units. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that PBT and LOS in the OPF population were independent with a nonlinear relationship. These results suggest that PBT may be protective for patients with long LOS. If these findings are confirmed, the LOS in OPF patients can be regulated through appropriate perioperative blood transfusion.

Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and fasting blood glucose in osteoporosis patients.

Osteoporosis (OP) is often associated with other complications, such as impaired glucose homeostasis. Vitamin D deficiency is common and has been linked to bone metabolism and the regulation of blood sugar levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the independent relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and fasting blood glucose levels (FBG) in a group of patients diagnosed with OP. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study from a prospectively collected database at our tertiary referral center. Consecutive 2084 OP patients who were hospitalization were finally analyzed in this study. FBG is the dependent variable, serum 25(OH)D level of OP patients is exposure variable of this study. There was a linear significantly negative association between serum 25(OH)D and FBG (ß, - 0.02; 95% CI - 0.03 to - 0.01; P = 0.0011) in the fully adjusted models. Specifically, when serum 25(OH)D level was less than 23.39 ng/mL, FBG decreased by 0.04 mmol/L for every 1 ng/mL increase of serum 25(OH)D level. When serum 25(OH)D was greater than 23.39 ng/ mL, the negative association was insignificant (P = 0.9616). If the association is confirmed, the clinical management of blood glucose in OP patients with serum 25(OH)D deficiency has instructive implications.

Association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with lipid profiles in osteoporosis patients: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In the literature, scarce data investigate the link between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and blood lipids in the osteoporosis (OP) population. 25(OH)D, as a calcium-regulating hormone, can inhibit the rise of parathyroid hormone, increase bone mineralization to prevent bone loss, enhance muscle strength, improve balance, and prevent falls in the elderly. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and lipid profiles in patients with osteoporosis, with the objective of providing insight for appropriate vitamin D supplementation in clinical settings to potentially reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease, which is known to be a major health concern for individuals with osteoporosis. METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study from the Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, including 2063 OP patients who received biochemical blood analysis of lipids during hospitalization from January 2015 to March 2022. The associations between serum lipids and 25(OH)D levels were examined by multiple linear regression. The dependent variables in the analysis were the concentrations of serum lipoprotein, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), apolipoprotein-A, lipoprotein A, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The independent variable was the concentration of blood serum 25(OH)D. At the same time, age, body mass index, sex, time and year of serum analysis, primary diagnosis, hypertension, diabetes, statins usage, beta-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide were covariates. Blood samples were collected in the early morning after the overnight fasting and were analyzed using an automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on the LABOSPECT 008AS platform (Hitachi Hi-Tech Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). The generalized additive model was further applied for nonlinear associations. The inception result for smoothing the curve was evaluated by two-piecewise linear regression exemplary. RESULTS: Our results proved that in the OP patients, the serum 25(OH)D levels were inversely connected with blood TGs concentration, whereas they were positively associated with the HDL, apolipoprotein-A, and lipoprotein A levels. In the meantime, this research also found a nonlinear relationship and threshold effect between serum 25(OH)D and TC, LDL-C. Furthermore, there were positive correlations between the blood serum 25(OH)D levels and the levels of TC and LDL-C when 25(OH)D concentrations ranged from 0 to 10.04 ng/mL. However, this relationship was not present when 25(OH)D levels were higher than 10.04 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated an independent relationship between blood lipids and vitamin D levels in osteoporosis patients. While we cannot establish a causal relationship between the two, our findings suggest that vitamin D may have beneficial effects on both bone health and blood lipid levels, providing a reference for improved protection against cardiovascular disease in this population. Further research, particularly interventional studies, is needed to confirm these associations and investigate their underlying mechanisms.

Association between serum uric acid levels and bone mineral density in patients with osteoporosis: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The results of studies exploring the association between serum uric acid (SUA) and bone mineral density (BMD) have been controversial and inconsistent. We thus sought to explore whether SUA levels were independently associated with BMD in patients with osteoporosis (OP). METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis was conducted using prospectively obtained data from the Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University database pertaining to 1,249 OP patients that were hospitalized from January 2015 - March 2022. BMD was the outcome variable for this study, while baseline SUA levels were the exposure variable. Analyses were adjusted for a range of covariates including age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and a range of other baseline laboratory and clinical findings. RESULTS: SUA levels and BMD were independently positively associated with one another in OP patients. Following adjustment for age, gender, BMI, blood urae nitrogen (BUN), and 25(OH)D levels, a 0.0286 g/cm2 (ß, 0.0286; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0193-0.0378, P < 0.000001) increase in BMD was observed per 100 µmol/L rise in SUA levels. A non-linear association between SUA and BMD was also observed for patients with a BMI < 24 kg/m2, with a SUA level inflection point at 296 µmol/L in the adjusted smoothed curve. CONCLUSIONS: These analyses revealed SUA levels to be independently positively associated with BMD in OP patients, with an additional non-linear relationship between these two variables being evident for individuals of normal or low body weight. This suggests that SUA levels may exert a protective effect on BMD at concentrations below 296 µmol/L in normal- and low-weight OP patients, whereas SUA levels above this concentration were unrelated to BMD.

Sea surface pCO2 in an urbanized coastal system (Jiaozhou Bay, China) during summer.

Various biogeochemical processes complicate carbon dioxide (CO2) behaviour in coastal oceans. Through eight summer surveys, detailed variations in CO2 mechanisms in the urbanized Jiaozhou Bay, China, were analysed. During the rainless period, respiration and dissolved inorganic carbon input from treated wastewater made the northeastern region a strong CO2 source, while the western region with cleaner seawater was a weak source because calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation exceeded primary production. Rainfall events with different intensities and locations caused significantly different effects. When rainfall occurred over the sea, enhanced primary production caused a CO2 sink; when rainfall induced little terrestrial pollutant input, CaCO3 precipitation exceeded net primary production, leading to a CO2 source. When heavy rain caused bulk runoff, the northeastern region was a strong CO2 source because rivers flowing through downtown regions inputted considerable organic matter, while in the western region, runoff through suburbs and wetlands led to a strong sink.

Suo Quan Wan Protects Mouse From Early Diabetic Bladder Dysfunction by Mediating Motor Protein Myosin Va and Transporter Protein SLC17A9.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Suo Quan Wan (SQW), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, on the overactive bladder (OAB) of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mouse models, particularly on its function of mediating the gene and protein expression levels of myosin Va and SLC17A9. Materials and Methods: After 4 weeks high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, C57BL/6J mice were injected with streptozotocin (100 mg/kg) for four times. After 3 weeks, the diabetic mice were treated with SQW for another 3 weeks. Voided stain on paper assay, fasting blood glucose (FBG) test, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were conducted. Urodynamic test, tension test [α,ß-methylene ATP, electrical-field stimulation (EFS), KCl, and carbachol] and histomorphometry were also performed. Western blot analysis and qPCR assays were used to quantify the expression levels of myosin Va and SLC17A9. Results: The diabetic mice exhibited decreased weight but increased water intake, urine production, FBG, and OGTT. No significant changes were observed after 3 weeks SQW treatment. Urodynamic test indicated that the non-voiding contraction (NVC) frequency, maximum bladder capacity (MBC), residual volume (RV), and bladder compliance (BC) were remarkably increased in the diabetic mice, whereas the voided efficiency (VE) was decreased as a feature of overactivity. Compared with the model mice, SQW treatment significantly improved urodynamic urination with decreased NVC, MBC, RV, and BC, and increased VE. Histomorphometry results showed that the bladder wall of the diabetic mice thickened, and SQW effectively attenuated the pathological alterations. The contract responses of bladder strips to all stimulators were higher in the DSM strips of diabetic mice, whereas SQW treatment markedly decreased the contraction response for all stimuli. Moreover, the protein and gene expression levels of myosin Va and SLC17A9 were up-regulated in the bladders of diabetic mice, but SQW treatment restored such alterations. Conclusion: T2DM mice exhibited the early phase of diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) characterized by OAB and bladder dysfunction. SQW can improve the bladder storage and micturition of DBD mice by mediating the protein and gene expression levels of myosin Va and SLC17A9 in the bladder, instead of improving the blood glucose level.

Time-dependent functional, morphological, and molecular changes in diabetic bladder dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

AIM: Diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) is one of the most common and bothersome complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aimed to investigate the functional, structural, and molecular changes of the bladder at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after DM induction by streptozotocin (STZ) in male C57BL/6 mice. METHODS: Male C57BL/6J mice were injected with STZ (130 mg/kg). Then, diabetic general characteristics, cystometry test, histomorphometry, and contractile responses to α, ß-methylene ATP, KCl, electrical-field stimulation, carbachol were performed at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after induction. Finally, protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of myosin Va and SLC17A9 were quantified. RESULTS: DM mice exhibited lower body weight, voiding efficiency and higher water intake, urine production, fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, bladder wall thickness, maximum bladder capacity, residual volume, bladder compliance. In particular, nonvoiding contractions has increased more than five times at 6 weeks. And the amplitudes of spontaneous activity, contractile responses to all stimulus was about two times higher at 6 weeks but cut almost in half at 12 weeks. The protein and mRNA expressions of myosin Va and SLC17A9 were about two times higher at 6 weeks, but myosin Va was reverted nearly 40% while SLC17A9 is still higher at 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: DBD transitioned from a compensated state to a decompensated state in STZ-induced DM mice at 9 to 12 weeks after DM induction. Our molecular data suggest that the transition may be closely related to the alterations of myosin Va and SLC17A9 expression levels in the bladder with time.

Variations in dissolved inorganic carbon species in effluents from large-scale municipal wastewater treatment plants (Qingdao, China) and their potential impacts on coastal acidification.

With rapid development of global wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), acidification and enhanced CO2 release in receiving waters caused by high-CO2 treated wastewater input have raised concerns. Insights into the variations in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) species in treated wastewater contribute to understanding the mechanisms of the acidification process. Here, we investigated three large-scale municipal WWTPs that discharged into the coast of Qingdao, China, for variations in effluent DIC species and their control mechanisms. The results showed that the effluent DIC concentrations, with a range of 2554-5718 µmol/L, significantly exceeded the concentration in seawater and mainly increased from winter to spring and decreased from summer to autumn. The effluent DIC and its δ13CDIC showed a good negative correlation. The ratios of effluent DIC to total alkalinity (DIC/TAlk) ranged from 1.00 to 1.24, and the proportions of CO2 in DIC ranged from 0.9 to 19.7%; both sets of values significantly exceeded those in seawater. The proportions of CO32- in DIC were only ~ 0.4%. These features determined that the CO2 concentrations in effluents fluctuated from 3 to 80 times the concentration in seawater, whereas the CO32- concentrations were less than 1/15 of those in seawater. Organic matter degradation and nitrogen removal processes made important contributions to the high effluent CO2 concentrations. The increase in solubility induced by decreased temperature may be the main cause for the higher effluent CO2 concentrations during winter as well as spring months with low effluent temperatures. Correspondingly, the effluent pH values were significantly lower than the seawater pH values and showed a good negative logarithmic correlation with the DIC/TAlk values, reflecting the control of DIC species on the pH values in treated wastewater. Variations in DIC species in treated wastewater can cause changes in the affected region and the degree of the induced acidification in receiving waters.

Effect of patchouli alcohol on Helicobacter pylori-induced neutrophil recruitment and activation.

Neutrophil infiltration typically occurs in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced acute gastritis; however, this immune response fails to eradicate H. pylori in vivo. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are generated by neutrophils, cause severe damage to gastric mucosa. Patchouli alcohol (PA) has been reported to have effective anti-oxidative and anti-H. pylori activities, and we investigated its effects on H. pylori-induced neutrophil recruitment and activation in this research. In neutrophil recruitment experiment, H. pylori was injected into rat air pouch to explore the effects of PA (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) on acute inflammatory response. The results revealed that PA significantly reduced the weight of exudate and the number of neutrophils in the air pouch. Meanwhile, remarkable decrements in TNF-α and IL-8 levels in exudates were observed. In neutrophil activation experiment, rat neutrophils were isolated and activated by using 50 µg/mL H. pylori water-soluble surface protein with or without the treatment of PA (5, 10 or 20 µmol/L). Results indicated that PA not only significantly inhibited the production of ROS, but also reduced the gene and protein expressions of p22/p47-phoxes, and the binding of p22/p47-phoxes. Furthermore, the influence of PA on the neutrophil activation genes of H. pylori (h-nap and sabA) was investigated, and the results showed that expressions of h-nap and sabA were remarkably decreased after PA treatment. In conclusion, PA reduced the recruitment and activation of neutrophils induced by H. pylori, as shown by its inhibition of pro-inflammatory factor generation, p22/p47-phoxes function and H. pylori neutrophil activation-related gene expression.

A robust polyoxometalate-templated four-fold interpenetrating metal-organic framework showing efficient organic dye photodegradation in various pH aqueous solutions.

A Keggin-type polyoxometalate (POM)-templated metal-organic framework, [Cd(TTPB-4)(DMF)3]4[PMo12O40]2[HPMo12O40]·6DMF·4H2O (1), based on a newly designed linker of TTPB-4 [TTPB-4 = 1,3,5-tris(4-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)phenyl)benzene], has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized using IR, XRD, TGA, UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectra. Single-crystal X-ray crystallography reveals that 1 represents a unique POM-templated four-fold interpenetrated 3-D coordination network. The POM-templated MOF of 1 exhibits strong chemical stability that can withstand aqueous solutions of various pH-values (2-10). Particularly, 1 possesses excellent photodegradation activity and recyclability towards the organic dyes of Crystal Violet (CV) and Basic Red 2 in aqueous solutions with different pH values.

Diffusion kurtosis MRI versus conventional diffusion-weighted imaging for evaluating inflammatory activity in Crohn's disease.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and to compare DKI-derived parameters with that of conventional diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for grading the inflammatory activity of Crohn's disease (CD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 38 patients with CD underwent 3T magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) with DKI (b values of 0-2000 s/mm2 ). The inflammatory activity of the bowel segments was graded by magnetic resonance index of activity (MaRIA) as inactive (<7), mild (≥7 and <11), or moderate-severe (≥11). Apparent diffusion for non-Gaussian distribution (Dapp ) and apparent kurtosis coefficient (Kapp ) on DKI as well as apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on DWI were compared. RESULTS: In all, 86 bowel segments including inactive (20), mild (19), and moderate-severe (47) CD were analyzed. The differences in Kapp , Dapp , and ADC among inactive, mild, and moderate-severe CD were significant (all P < 0.05). Kapp (r = 0.862), Dapp (r = -0.755), and ADC (r = -0.713) correlated well with MaRIA in all segments. Stronger correlation with MaRIA in moderate-severe CD was found for Kapp (r = 0.647) than that of Dapp (r = -0.414) and ADC (r = -0.580). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed high accuracy of Kapp , Dapp , and ADC for differentiating active from inactive CD (AUC: 0.953 for Kapp , 0.944 for Dapp , 0.907 for ADC) as well as differentiating inactive-mild from moderate-severe CD (AUC: 0.946 for Kapp , 0.887 for Dapp , 0.846 for ADC). The threshold Kapp of 0.731 allowed differentiation of active from inactive CD with 89.4% sensitivity and 95% specificity. CONCLUSION: DKI of CD is clinically feasible and might be superior to conventional DWI for grading the inflammatory activity of CD. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:702-709.

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of two unique Cu(ii)-based coordination polymers involving a crystal-to-crystal structural transformation from a 1D chain to a 3D network.

Two new coordination polymers, Cu(Hbsal)2(4,4'-bpy)2 (1) and Cu(bsal)(4,4'-bpy)·DMF (2), have been synthesized from 5-bromosalicylic acid (H2bsal) and the auxiliary ligand 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bpy) through a slow diffusion method. Compound 1 is composed of parallel 1D linear chains, whereas compound 2 represents a non-interpenetrated 3D sod net which is constructed from left and right-handed helical chains alternately separated by 4,4'-bpy. The most interesting finding is that compound 1 can be irreversibly transformed into 2 in a crystal-to-crystal manner in the case that compound 1 is immersed in the DMF solvent. Particularly, the 1D-to-3D crystal-to-crystal structural transformation also incurs a drastic change in the magnetic properties of 1 and 2.

Diffusion-weighted MRI Enables to Accurately Grade Inflammatory Activity in Patients of Ileocolonic Crohn's Disease: Results from an Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a novel technique to evaluate bowel inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD). It remains unclear whether DWI could differentiate grades of inflammation activity and add to the accuracy of conventional magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) in defining disease activity. We aimed to assess the accuracy of DWI for evaluating ileocolonic CD inflammation compared with conventional MRE, using ileocolonoscopy as reference standard. METHODS: This was an observational study of CD patients who underwent both ileocolonoscopy and MRE with DWI. The conventional MRE and DWI findings of the ileocolon were scored from 0 to 3. The respective segment endoscopic disease activity was scored by simplified endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) and was graded as inactive (0-2), mild (3-6) or moderate-severe (≥7). RESULTS: One hundred eighty-five bowel segments from 43 consecutive CD patients were evaluated and included inactive (n = 86), mild (n = 72), and moderate-severe (n = 27) ileo-colonic segments. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) of 0.973 for apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) to differentiate active from inactive CD was significantly higher than those of conventional MRE parameters (AUC between 0.840 and 0.940). Higher accuracy of ADC (AUC = 0.919) for differentiating inactive-mild from moderate-severe CD was also shown compared with that of conventional MRE parameters (AUC between 0.868 and 0.915). ADC values demonstrated strongest correlation with SES-CD (r = -0.880) comparing to DWI SI and conventional MRE parameters (r between 0.787 and 0.867). CONCLUSIONS: DWI enables to accurately grade inflammatory activity in patients of ileocolonic CD and may be better suited than conventional MRE for monitoring the activity of CD.

A unique 3D metal-organic framework based on a 12-connected pentanuclear Cd(II) cluster exhibiting proton conduction.

Solvothermal reaction of a TCA (TCA = 4,4',4''-tricarboxytriphenylamine) ligand with Cd(NO3)2 yielded a unique 3D 12-connected metal-organic framework of , which can be simplified as a (3,3,12)-connected 3-nodal net with a Schläfli symbol of {4(16)·6(36)·8(14)}{4(2)·6}2{4(3)}2 based on a 12-connected node of a pentanuclear Cd(ii) cluster and a three-connected organic linker of TCA. Compound exhibits both photoluminescence and proton conductivity. The luminescence properties of originate from the triphenylamine chromophore of the TCA ligand. The proton conductivity of is supposed to be relevant to the structure attributes of . On the one hand, the curved narrow channels lined with a hydrophilic pentanuclear Cd(ii) cluster in can improve the water affinity of framework and facilitate the water absorption under humid conditions. On the other hand, the coordinated water molecules within the pentanuclear Cd(ii) cluster can produce a mobile H(+) proton due to coordination activation. At 80 °C and 85% RH (relative humidity), compound shows the proton conductivity of 1.45 × 10(-6) S cm(-1).

Decreased CD200R expression on monocyte-derived macrophages correlates with Th17/Treg imbalance and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVES: CD200 is expressed on various cell types, including T cells, while the CD200 receptor (CD200R) is expressed on myeloid cells such as monocytes-derived macrophages (MDMs). The CD200-CD200R interaction has been shown to play an important role in the prevention of autoimmune disease. Thus, we hypothesized that CD200/CD200R1 is involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: In total, 35 RA patients and 17 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. CD200/CD200R1 expression and Th17/Treg were examined by flow cytometry. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-4 and IL-10 were detected by ELISA. Disease activity was evaluated according to the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) and 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) scores. RESULTS: Compared with HCs, RA patients exhibited a significantly decreased level of CD200R1 on MDMs. CD200R1 expression correlated negatively with DAS28, ESR, and CRP levels. This abnormal expression was associated with Th17/Treg imbalance in the active RA patients. However, expression of CD200R1 was not correlated with Th1 (IL-2, IFN-γ) or Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) cytokine responses. CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrate a significant correlation between CD200R1(+) cells and disease severity in RA patients, thus indicating the relevance of the CD200/CD200R1 signaling pathway's potential involvement in the pathogenesis of RA.

[Study of automated acid-base mapping on diagnose and treatment of community acquired pneumonia in emergency department].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the value of automated acid-base mapping on diagnose and treatment of patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in emergency department. METHODS: According to medical history, pulmonary function test, diagnosing guideline of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 111 patients with CAP were divided into two groups: single CAP group (n=56) and COPD complicated with CAP group [acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) group, n=55]. After enquiring medical history, arterial blood samples were drawn for blood gas analysis and automated acid-base mapping was analyzed. RESULTS: Arterial blood gas analysis showed arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO(2)), HCO(3)(-), base excess of AECOPD group were obviously higher than those in CAP group (PaCO(2): 7.714±2.414 kPa vs. 5.896±1.308 kPa, HCO(3)(-): 30.767±7.185 mmol/L vs. 25.014±3.043 mmol/L, BE: 4.345±5.371 mmol/L vs. -0.354±3.180 mmol/L, all P<0.01). Automated acid-base mapping showed acid-base disturbance of AECOPD group was 89.1% and CAP group was 66.1%. Chi-square analysis were done for patients of normal (10.9%, 33.9%), acute respiratory acidosis (12.7%, 14.3%), chronic respiratory acidosis (49.1%, 10.7%), respiratory alkalosis (7.3%, 14.3%), metabolic acidosis (12.7%, 17.9%), metabolic alkalosis (12.7%, 8.9%) between AECOPD group and CAP group, and statistical significance was found between AECOPD group and single CAP group (χ (2)=24.421, P=0.001). Advanced Chi-square analysis for patients of normal, acute respiratory acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis were done and showed no statistical difference (χ (2)=5.280, P=0.260). It is indicated chronic respiratory acidosis occurrences rate in AECOPD patients was higher than single CAP patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that automated acid-base mapping may be helpful for emergency physician to rapidly recognize multi-acid-base disturbance in patients with CAP, and to promptly identify acute or chronic phase of respiratory disease.

MicroRNA-195 promotes apoptosis in mouse podocytes via enhanced caspase activity driven by BCL2 insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: The apoptosis of podocytes is a characteristic event in diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether microRNAs (miRNAs) affect podocyte apoptosis in diabetic circumstances. METHODS: Diabetic nephropathy was induced in DBA/2 mice by intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin, and the levels of proteinuria were measured with ELISA. Apoptosis-related miRNAs were screened in isolated glomeruli. A conditionally immortalized mouse podocyte cell line was cultured in 25 mMD-glucose and either transfected with miRNA-195 (miR-195) mimics or inhibitors. The levels of BCL2 and caspase expression were determined using real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. We also measured WT-1 and synaptopodin in podocytes. Apoptosis of podocytes was assessed with Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The expression of miR-195 was elevated in both diabetic mice with proteinuria and podocytes that were cultured in high glucose. Transfection with miR-195 reduced the protein levels of BCL2 and contributed to podocyte apoptosis via an increase in caspase-3. miR-195-treated podocytes underwent actin rearrangement and failed to synthesize sufficient levels of WT-1 and synaptopodin proteins, which suggests that the cells had suffered injuries similar to those observed in diabetic nephropathy in both humans and animal models. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings demonstrate that miR-195 promotes apoptosis of podocytes under high-glucose conditions via enhanced caspase cascades for BCL2 insufficiency. This work thus presents a meaningful approach for deciphering mechanisms, by which miRNAs participate in diabetic renal injury.

[Age structure and growth characteristic of Castanopsis fargesii population].

In this paper, the age structure and growth characteristics of Castanopsis fargesii population in a shade-tolerant broadleaved evergreen forest were studied, aimed to understand more about the regeneration patterns and dynamics of this population. The results showed that the age structure of C. fargesii population was of sporadic type, with two death peaks of a 30-year gap. This population had a good plasticity in growth to light condition. Because there were no significant differences in light condition under the canopy in vertical, the saplings came into their first suppression period when they were 5-8 years old, with a height growth rate less than 0. 1 m x a(-1) lasting for 10 years. The beginning time of the first growth suppression period was by the end of the first death peak of the population, and the ending time of the first growth suppression period was at the beginning of the second death peak of the population, demonstrating that growth characteristic was the key factor affecting the age structure of C. fargesii.

[Imaging features of lung carcinoma, pulmonary tuberculoma, and inflammatory pseudotumor on helical incremental dynamic CT scan--a report of 44 cases].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Lung carcinoma, pulmonary tuberculoma, and inflammatory pesudotumor are the most common solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN). Computed tomography (CT) is the major diagnostic examination of them. Most recent reports focused on their morphologic features on CT. The differential diagnoses are still difficult. This study was to explore their imaging features on helical incremental dynamic CT scan according to the differences of their hematal supply, and get more information for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis. METHODS: Incremental dynamic CT scan was performed on 115 cases of solitary pulmonary nodule. Of the 44 cases proved by postoperative pathology, 30 were lung carcinoma, 7 were pulmonary tuberculoma, and 7 were inflammatory pesudotumor. RESULTS: Of the 30 cases of lung carcinoma, 7 were mildly enhanced, 14 were moderately enhanced, 5 were highly enhanced, 2 were remarkably enhanced, and 7 were not enhanced; 9 had peak enhancement began at 18-28 s after injection, 17 began at 30-39 s, and 4 began at 40-44 s, with an average time of 32 s. Of the 7 cases of tuberculoma, 5 were not enhanced, and 2 were cricoid enhanced. All the 7 cases of inflammatory pesudotumor were remarkably enhanced, with the peak enhancement value of over 100 Hu in all cases; the peak enhancements began at 26 s, 28 s, 30 s, 32 s, 33 s, 110 s, and 122 s, respectively, after injection. CONCLUSION: Helical incremental dynamic CT is helpful in differential diagnoses of lung carcinoma, pulmonary tuberculoma, and inflammatory pesudotumor.

Tumor angiogenesis and dynamic CT in colorectal carcinoma: radiologic-pathologic correlation.

AIM: To investigate the correlation between microvessel density and spiral CT perfusion imaging in colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients, with histologically proven colorectal carcinoma, underwent water enema spiral CT scan. The largest axial surface of the primary tumor was searched on unenhanced spiral CT images. At this level, the enhanced dynamic scan series was acquired. Time-density curves (TDC) were created from the region of interest drawn over the tumor, target artery by Toshiba Xpress/SX spiral CT with perfusion functional software. Then the perfusion was calculated. Microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining of surgical specimens with anti-CD34, and then MVD was correlated with perfusion. RESULTS: MVD of colorectal carcinomas was 33.11-173.44, mean 87.28, and perfusion was 15.60-64.80 mL/min/100 g, mean 39.74 mL/min/100 g. MVD and perfusion were not associated with invasive depth, metastasis and disease stage, and they all decreased with increasing Dukes' stage, but no significant correlation was found between them (r = 0.18, P = 0.29). CONCLUSION: There is no significant correlation between MVD and perfusion. Neovascularizaton and perfusion are highly presented in early colorectal carcinoma. CT perfusion imaging may be more suited for assessing tumorigenesis in colorectal carcinoma than histological MVD technique.